Registration Begins for Iran’s First B2B Games Exhibition (TGC)

Iran Computer
and Video Game Foundation CEO, at a January 22 press conference, announced that
registration to participate in the Tehran Game Convention international
exhibition will continue until April 4.

According to a
report from the public relations department of Iran Computer and Video Game
Foundation, Hassan Karimi Ghodoosi, during the press conference, after a minute
of silence in honor of those who gave their life at the fire disaster at Plasco
Building, stated that we have witnessed a 35% increase in the production of
computer games in the country: “The activity of 2000 game developers within 100
companies and organizations has created a niche for Iran in this industry.”

He continued,
“The video game market is an international market, however, because of
sanctions, Iran has created a domestic market. But we must, with the help of
foreign game developers, provide a base for Iranian products in the global
market.”

Iran Computer
and Video Game Foundation CEO, stressing the need to use standards, technologies,
and concepts of game development from outside the country, said, “When foreign
companies can be confident in Iran's security and investment returns, they will
invest in Iran’s game developing companies.

Karimi
Ghodoosi, after expressing that we need to be aware of the foreign consequences
of our decisions said, “What happened with the licensed and age-rated game
Clash of Clans, is that it had many foreign effects. We have had more than 20
contacts via email and telephone from international companies with regard to
the security of investing in Iran.”

The
Games Industry in Iran has not been Recognized

Iran Computer
and Video Game Foundation CEO, after stating that many countries have no idea
that game developing companies exist in Iran, said, “Iran’s gas, oil, car and
even film industries are recognized worldwide, but the presence of domestic
game developing companies, with a life of only 10 years, of course with
sanctions, shows the need to introduce Iranian game developers’ skills to
foreign publishers and investors.”

He continued,
“At the Tehran Game Convention exhibition it is our intention to create a link
between Iranian game developers and those active in the field internationally.
In addition, since these kinds of events do not really exist in this region,
this is an opportunity for TGC to be a bridge between developed countries and
the Middle East.”

Karimi
Ghodoosi, expressing hope of releasing Iranian developed game titles to the
international markets after TGC, said, “ at least 20 games exist in Iran that
have the capability to be included in the ranks of global games. For this
purpose, since a month ago, we’ve been holding workshops for developers to
upgrade their games, in order to introduce them to international publishers.”

In response to
questions regarding the cancellation of some international events in Iran, and
whether he is worried about the sudden cancellation of the TGC event, he said,
“In the next few days we will be have meetings with 20 of the countries
cultural institutions and organizations in order to discuss the idea and
importance of the TGC event, and with the actions that Iran Computer and Video
Game Foundation is taking, there will be no problems for the TGC exhibition.”

What
is the Purpose of Tehran Game Convention?

At the press
conference, Mehrdad Ashtiani, project manager for this exhibition, said, “This
exhibition and conference of game developers in Tehran is taking place with the
intention to create a highway of communication between key players in the game
industry in Iran and the Middle East and the industry internationally.”

He outlined
the most important goals of TGC include the sharing of experience and business
development strategies, he also said, “the introduction of investment
opportunities, building a foundation for incorporating Iranian products in the
international market, establishing communication between game manufacturers,
publishers and service providers domestically and internationally with Iran's
vast and untapped markets, are amongst the opportunities that will exist at
this event.”

Ashtiani
explained the different segments of this event: “The trade segment, or B2B,
will be the first part of the TGC exhibition, during which business meetings
will be held.”

He stated that
the conferences and master classes take place in the second segment of the
event, and said, “At this event there is expected to be 60 conferences with 30
international first class speakers on 5 topics, including:
Technology/programing, art, game design, production and management and business.
Furthermore, a master class will be given in each topic in the course of a
day.”

The TGC
project manager continued, “The third segment of the event is named Publisher’s
Day; domestic producers and service providers will introduce their projects in the
presence of domestic and international publishers.”

Ashtiani said,
“Another segment of this event is dedicated to independent game developers, and
in the case where this group has an exceptional product, they will be given a
free 4-meter booth.”

TGC
Exhibition Collaboration with Game Connection France

Ashtiani
pointing to the collaboration with the French company, Game Connection, in
holding the TGC event, said, “The series of famous Game Connection exhibitions
are held in France and America, and will be taking place in the Middle East in
exclusive partnership with Iran.”

He stated that
Game Connection is the most effective video games industry event for the
purpose of forming global trade partnerships, and further stated, “ [Game
Connection], in holding TGC,is
committed to providing support in the production and procurement of content for
international speakers, invitation to 30 international buyers, international
marketing, facilitation of transportation of international speakers and buyers,
providing its powerful Meeting Application tool, and assisting in the process
ofmanaging and holding the TGC
exhibition.”

The project
manager of TGC emphasized that one of the more important features of this event
will be the opportunity for trade meetings and partnerships, and said,
“Typically B2B exhibitions in Iran have lacked a mechanism to regulate
commercial arrangements, but Game Connection has put at our disposal the
leading meeting making software, and companies can start using this application
from February 19 in order to begin setting up meetings.”

Concerning his
statement that Game Connection is committed to bringing 30 international buyers
to this event, he said, “In October Iran Computer and Video Game Foundation and
Game Connection managers convened multiple meetings with different groups of
game developers and became familiar with their needs and then decided on which
international companies to invite.

World
Class Advisory Board

Ashtiani,
stating that the advisory board for TGC will consist of 5 international and 5
renowned Iranian game developers, said, “The international advisors are well
known, veterans from the computer games industry. For example, Keith Fuller,
who contributed in the production of games, such as, Call of Duty: Black Ops,
Quake 4, and Singularity, or Susan O'Connor who was an advisor, and recipient
of many awards for Bioshock, Tomb Raider, and Far Cry 2.” International
advisors at the event include:

Henry
LaBounta, from Zynga

Mike Acton,
from Insomniac Games

Susan
O’Connor, game script writer and designer

Phil Elliot,
from Square Enix

Keith Fuller,
from Fuller Game Production

Sébastien
Lagarde, Director of rendering research at Unity Technologies

Ashtiani
emphasized that the Iranian advisors are also amongst the best game developers
in Iran, behind notable games such as, Garshasp, Shadow Blade, and Asmandez.
These advisors include:

Amir Hossein
Fasihi, from Fanafzar

Yaser Zhiyan,
from Fanafzar

Amir Hossein
Erfani, from SpaceFox

Aidin
Zolghadr, Game developer and educator

Farzam Molk
Ara, from Simulator Developer

20
percent Discount for Early Bird Registration until March 16

Ashtiani
provides further details about the TGC exhibition time table: “Registration for
conference and exhibition attendance, and the use of Meeting Application, began
January 14 and will continue up to April 4. That being said, those who register
by March 16 will get a 20 % discount.”

TGC project
manager continued: “An invite has been put out for professionals in the
industry to speak at the event and those interested may send their proposals to
Iran Computer and Video Game Foundation by February 17.”

He stated
priority spots will be provided on a first come first choice basis and
emphasized that there will be simultaneous translation during the entire
conference.

Tehran
Game Convention is not Alone

TGC project
manager said, “Vice president of scientific and technological department of the
Presidential Office offered to provide accommodations for knowledge-based
companies in the field of videogames who attend this event. Furthermore, Iran
Computer and Video Game Foundation will accommodate independent game developers
with a 4-meter booth free of charge. Independent game developers who wish to
gain access to these free booths may send an email to contact@tehrangamecon.com.

Ashtiani said,
“Pierre Pilon educator on how to pitch your project (pitch trainer) at Ubisoft
Montreal will be arriving in Iran, end of February, and will be giving a
one-day workshop for game developers on how to introduce their games to
publishers, after which he will provide expert advice to interested companies.

After stating
that the Ministries of Culture and Communication and, and the Vice presidency
of Scientific and Technological Department of the Presidential Office have
announced their support for the TGC, Ashtiani said: Samsung, Danesh Bonya Royal
Institute and Tapsell are already sponsors of this event. It should be noted
that Danesh Bonya Royal Institute will be sponsoring the companies chosen for
Publishers Day at the TGC exhibition with up to 1 billion tomans.

Game
developers and other enthusiasts who are interested in attending Tehran Game
Convention exhibition may visit the following website for registration: http://www.tehrangamecon.com/register/

Sunday, January 22, 2017

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Co-Organized by:

Tehran Game Convention

TGC exhibition, is being held by Iran Computer and Video Games Foundation in partnership with Game Connection.